Resources

Title I

TITLE I: What it Means for Our School

Hillcrest Elementary is Title I school. The term “Title I” refers to schools that receive additional federal funding through the terms outlined in the first title (or part) of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The Title I program is the largest federally funded education program in the United States. Its purpose is to assist public and private schools with high concentrations of economically disadvantaged students. Through the provisions of Title I, additional funding is allocated to the school to help close achievement gaps and provide all students with a greater chance for academic success. Title I programs operate at the whole-school level, ensuring that every child that attends Hillcrest is a beneficiary of Title I funds in some way.

According to the conditions of the law, Title I programs must further three distinct objectives: (1) improve student achievement for all children, (2) improve faculty and staff development, and (3) improve parental and community involvement. Hillcrest’s Title I funds are primarily dedicated to bringing highly qualified personnel into the school that help students in class, small group, and individual settings to achieve greater proficiency on grade level-concepts. We hire additional teachers to reduce class sizes, ensuring smaller teacher-to-student ratios. Aides are employed to provide greater classroom support and tutor students in small group settings. Funds are also used to acquire resources and materials that improve the learning process in our classrooms, as well as to provide staff development opportunities.

Highly Qualified Teachers and Staff

In a Title I school, all teachers and student support staff members are required to be “highly qualified” for their work through college, advanced degree study, or by demonstrating competency through designated exams. This is a positive thing for our students, as it ensures that teachers and staff members understand best practices for instruction. A list of the highly qualified status of our staff is available for your review in the school’s office as part of our school-wide Title I plan, and at any time you may request information regarding the professional qualifications of your child’s teacher.

Partnering With the Community

We consider you as equal partners in the education of your child. In addition to keeping you informed of our Title I plans at Hillcrest, we offer training on ways you can work with your child at home to raise student achievement. For example, we host an annual Math and Arts Night to bring teachers, parents, and children together to explore fun and fascinating math concepts. Be on the lookout for such opportunities to learn some of the latest math and literacy strategies to help your child at home.

Documents and Plans

In accordance with Title I policy, our school maintains a school-wide Title I plan, parent involvement policy, and a parent-school learning compact outlining the responsibilities of parents, students, teachers, and the principal to raise student achievement. You may receive a full copy of any or all of these documents in the school’s office. Below you will find copies of the Parent-School Learning Compact and the Parent Involvement Policy for your review.

Your Rights Under Title I

As a school staff, we are continually working to ensure a fair and equitable educational experience for all our students. If, however, you wish to submit a grievance regarding the experience your child is receiving at our school, you are welcome to do so. Parents who would like to address concerns, complaints, and alleged discrimination or violations of federal regulations concerning Title I programs experienced by students may register a complaint with the principal.

Special Education & 504 Support

We recognize that each child within our school is an individual. As such, every child has unique learning needs, abilities, hopes, dreams, and talents. In those instances when a child demonstrates a need that is unique from his or her peers, we have processes and resources in place to provide him or her with needed help and support. In some instances, this support is provided through members of our Special Education team or through the assistance of a 504 plan. For more information about these supports, please continue reading below.

Special Education

Our Special Education team consists of teachers that support a child’s participation and learning in the regular education classroom, as well as special classes throughout Alpine School District that provide students with particular need more individualized support. For all children, Special Education services are administered only when need of a significant degree has been identified. This need is determined through academic and cognitive testing, as well as assessment of a child’s social, emotional, behavioral, motor skill, vision, or language development. If sufficient need is found, our team of highly skilled professionals stands ready to meet the needs of every child, no matter how big or small. If you have questions about your child’s needs or would simply like to know more about these services, please contact your child’s teacher.

504 Support

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law that has important implications in the school setting. A part of this law referred to as Section 504 is designed to specifically protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in school programs and activities. Section 504 states: “No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States . . . shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance . . . .” We believe strongly in adhering to this statute and work hard to provide students of need with support to access their content curriculum. Unlike special education services that help close achievement gaps and provide a child with individualized learning goals, the services provided through a 504 plan are to ensure a child is able to access the curriculum. If you have questions about your child’s ability to access what is being taught in the classroom, please contact our school 504 Coordinator, Principal Zach Eagar, at 801-610-8110.